Harvie faces backlash after ‘pathetic tribute’ to Duke
Greens MSP in Holyrood snub to the Queen and snipe at the late royal
PATRICK HARVIE has provoked an outcry after using a Holyrood tribute to Prince Philip to snipe at his “extreme wealth, privilege and status” and love of “bloodsport”.
The co-leader of the Scottish Greens, whose party wants to end the monarchy, said it would have been “wrong to give a performance of feelings not sincerely felt”.
He noted around 150,000 people had died from Covid in the UK in the last year and their deaths had mostly been announced “without ceremony as daily statistics”.
He said: “Although there is no great leveller in how we live our lives, we are reminded no extreme of wealth, privilege or status can protect us from mortality.”
Mr Harvie was the only one of the five Holyrood leaders not to mention the Queen by name.
Nor did he praise any specific achievements of the Prince, coming closest when speaking of his promotion of environmentalism. But even that had a twist.
He said: “Many have spoken about Prince Philip’s environmentalism. Today’s environmental movement overwhelmingly places responsibility for the global crisis on the powerful, and would not seek to reconcile conservation with the bloodsport of the wealthy.
“Yet... a debt is owed to those whose environmentalism did achieve global awareness, even if it was shaped by different values.”
The Glasgow MSP revealed the Greens considered snubbing the motion of condolence at Holyrood, made during only the sixth recall of the Parliament since devolution.
However Mr Harvie said he did not want to show the Duke of Edinburgh any “personal disrespect”, and offered his sincere condolences to his friends, family and “those who will miss him”.
Mr Harvie also questioned if a royal family could “keep pace with the modern, democratic society is it supposed to represent”, and said it “must show respect for the diversity of that society in its words and in its deeds”.
The speech, which came on the day Princes William and Harry paid tribute to their grandfather, drew some praise but also fierce criticism on social media.
Mike Elrick, a former adviser to the late Labour leader John Smith, called it “utterly pathetic”.
Mr Harvie was also labelled a
disgrace and loathsome.
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: “While at least Patrick Harvie had the sense not to boycott the tribute, his speech struck the wrong tone.
“Parliament came together to highlight the wonderful contribution the Duke of Edinburgh made to public life.
“It was sad Patrick Harvie failed to use his contribution to recognise any of that and instead felt the need to highlight how he wishes to see the end of our monarchy.”
The Holyrood tribute to Prince Philip, who died at Windsor Castle on Friday aged 99, was preceded by a minute’s silence.
Nicola Sturgeon said the Prince had been a “thoughtful man, deeply interesting and fiercely intelligent” who had led an “extraordinary life”.
Tory leader Ruth Davidson said: “He was born before the discovery of penicillin, before the creation of the UN or the invention of the television or the jet engine. But a moderniser he was in life, as well as in work. How many men in the 1950s gave up their job for their wife’s career?”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the Prince had been “an extraordinary public servant”, and praised him for “transforming lives for young people across the world” and promoting global conservation.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “Sometimes he offended, but I do not share the view of some that he was an offensive man. For many, he has been part of a family that has provided comfort and stability in what can be a turbulent and intimidating world.”
Mr Harvie last called for the “outdated, discredited and totally undemocratic” monarchy to be axed in March.
Polls show the Greens set to add to their six MSPS of 2016 in May, potentially making them key to a pro-yes majority.